Pet Health - Pet Advice - Pet Photos

Do You Treat Your Pet Better Than Yourself?by Dr. Richard Glick

My dental assistant tuned me into the Pet Channel on cable TV. She was as astonished as I was about the care that is afforded our pets. What especially intrigued her was the amount of information on pet dental health. They cover simple brushing of your pet's teeth to serious illnesses and diseases. The information we provide for our patients isn't as clear and concise as what these pet programs inform pet lovers about.Here is anexcerpt:

How do bad teeth affect the rest of the body?

Infected gums and teeth aren't just a problem in the mouth -- the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria than can 'seed' to other parts of the body. With regular dental care, you can prevent some of these more serious side effects. As a dentist I'm well aware of these serious problems but the public isn't as informed as the pet owner. What's missing? Billions of dollars are spent annually on our pets. And there is little or no insurance. Where are your priorities? Pet Dental Care is as important as yours. Why don't you schedule a dental check up for Rover and also yourself? Preventive care will insure a healthier and better life for you both.

About the AuthorDr. Richard Glick is a graduate of Georgetown Dental School with a specialty degree in Periodontics - treatment of gum disease from New York University. He has practiced in Rhode Island for 30 years. His office is unique in providing treatment in one office by Specialists in all phases of dental care including family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Why Should I Have My Dog Fixed?by James Nash

When thinking about beneficial things that you can do for your dog, one thing that should come to any pet owner's mind is having their dog spayed or neutered. There are many different ways that people refer to this process including altering and sterilizing the dog, but the point is that they all mean the same thing and therefore they are all highly beneficial for your pet.

1) When it comes to dogs, it is not uncommon for a dog to find a way to escape from the safety of your home or property. These dogs then make their way into the streets where they freely wander. In many cases, this escape is done do to the intense experience known as being in heat which is an instinctual trait that drives them to find a mate. While out and about, your dog could very easily get into a fight with another dog and hurt, or worse your dog can even get hit by a car. Having a dog fixed will make the pet more relaxed and at ease. Without the onset of going into heat, they will also loose the want to fight another dog or even to be aggressive in many cases.

2) There is an over population of the pet population as it is. Domesticated animals allover the place, are allowed to continue their instinctual traits to multiply without any form of control. This all comes down to the fact that it is an instinct for them. When you get your dog spayed or neutered, you will also be preventing any unwanted puppies which can wind up either diseased or even dead.

3) There have been a number of studies which have proven that spayed or neutered male and female dogs are less prone to certain ailments like testicular, ovarian and uterine cancers. Beyond these conditions, having your pet spayed or neutered has countless of other benefits when it comes to reducing the chances of your dog having to deal with a plethora of other diseases and ailments.

4) Pets which have been spayed or neutered are also fart more calm and relaxed as well as being less prone to aggressive behaviors that can include fighting with others. It has been shown that a great number of dog fights that occur on the street are as a result of two dogs which have not been fixed. This means you are helping your dog by preventing the possibility of injuries relating to fighting with other dogs.

5) For anyone who has had a dog that has not been fixed will probably know about the male dogs and their spraying of the house with the most nauseous urine that one could ever imagine. Furthermore, the female dogs will have menstruation and they do not wear any pads when this happens leaving you to have to clean up after her. Once fixed, this issue is resolved and will never happen again in both male and female dogs.

About the AuthorYour Dog Supplies Store has a lifetime return policy and weekly blowout sales on dog shampoo, dog beds, dog clothes and many more dog supplies!

I've noticed several threads in the DCR forums over the last year from shooters seeking advice on photographing pets. It's really not surprising: for many of us, pets are an important part of the family. Incidentally, with a little careful planning, they can also make great subjects for portraits, action photos, or general snaps to put in the family photo album.

In this installment of DCR Workshop, we take on photographing animals generally – with a particular emphasis on taking great pet pics for photographers of all skill levels. If you've been looking for tips on how to add interest and flair to shots of non-human subjects, keep reading.

Animal photography basicsAs in all kinds of photography with moving subjects, anticipation is the key to taking great pictures of animals. And effective anticipation begins with a little observation. Unlike photographing animals in the wild, where your window of opportunity to get any shot at all may be fleeting, photographing animals in a semi-controlled environment – be it your dogs and cats, or even animals at the zoo – affords you some time to study your subject in any potential shooting situation and look for the best picture taking opportunities.

Of course, there's something to be said for being ready to capture a moment when it happens, too.

For action shots of active pets, this often means working in a continuous AF mode if your camera is so equipped. Likewise, capturing those elusive moments usually requires a fast shutter speed: for outdoor photos of animals in motion, I like to start around 1/250 light permitting. If your point-and-shoot doesn't let you set a shutter speed (via a manual or shutter priority mode) and doesn't include a scene setting specifically for pets, a sports mode often serves as an effective substitute.

In either case, when taking high-speed action shots, having some telephoto reach can be a huge help. It's much more difficult to track a quick-moving subject up close, and having the ability to fill up the frame with your subject from some distance is an added plus. Having a telephoto range equivalent to at least 200mm (in familiar 35mm terms) can also make it easier to grab greatcandids without having to get to close: just as in photographing people, the best animal shots usually happen when the photographer isn't intruding on scene.

As a final general consideration, too many casual photographers never utilize the continuous drive function on their cameras for taking photos of animal subjects. Unlike film, digital captures are basically free, and it's hard to know precisely when your subject will be at its best. Instead, when photographing your pets or taking snaps at the zoo, grab a series of back-to-back shots instead. Shooting fifty continuous frames to get a single great pet portrait or action shot may seem excessive, but having a capture of the perfect moment usually makes the trouble of sorting through your photos after the fact to pick the keepers worth it.

Consider staging, lighting, and focusJust as in portraiture with human subjects, staging can also play an important role in photographing your pets. Plan outdoor shoots early or late in the day, when light is optimal.

Consider the relationship of light sources to your subject; often, a bit of fill flash (more on this in depth momentarily) is crucial to balance in outdoor shots, so attend to that as needed as well (keeping in mind "pet eye" concerns discussed below, that is). Alternatively, though, strong light sources – as in the midday light from the window over my left shoulder in the following shot – can help add drama to an otherwise mundane snap.

Many dog and cat pictures are, in essence, portraits, and thinking of them that way from a compositional standpoint can help improve your photo taking. As with photographing people, shooting up close with shallow depth of field can yield a great look for pet shots, but be careful of where your focal point is if you're working at wide apertures. A rule of thumb for portraits of all types is that the area of sharpest focus should always emphasize the eyes.

Of course, there's nothing that says you can't mix things up and go for a different look. The more important point is to be conscious of your focal point or points: having this awareness is part of the reason I avoid automatically selected multi-area AF modes (including, ironically, face detection systems). In pet shots as in portraits generally, the best shots will come from taking a proactive approach.

"Kick" it up a notch with fill flashAppropriate flash use is one key to taking good outdoor portraits, especially. Using fill flash in outdoor scenes also tends to be poorly understood by many casual photographers, who logically but incorrectly assume that if you have sufficient natural light, there's no need to add flash into the mix as well. In truth, fill flash plays two important roles in portraiture of all kinds, making it an important consideration when taking pet snaps.

First, fill flash works to even out harsh, high-contrast outdoor lighting. Strong shadows cast by strong outdoor light sources can be hard to work with, as can stronglybacklit scenes in which your subject comes out much too dark. Second, fill flash helps to assure that the eyes of your subject – as noted above, the key focal area in most pet portraits – show a little sparkle.

As seen above, it doesn't take much: often, shooting with the sun over your shoulder provides enough of a glint to give your subject some life. If you find that your animal subjects are looking a little glassy-eyed, though, having a flash unit (and, depending on whether you're taking shots of pets or photographing wild or zoo animals, possibly even a flash extender) handy to provide a little kick lighting can be crucial.

Avoiding "pet eye"Finally, just as in photographing humans, flash can also be tricky in that it causes reflections – often green, yellow, or white – in animals' eyes if you're shooting close, especially. Unfortunately, camera red-eye reduction systems usually have limited success in keeping so called "pet eye" under control, and in-camera processing after the shot almost never works to remove it.

There are several strategies for keeping the issue under control, and depending on the specifics of your shooting situation one or more may be of use to you. First, if you're working with a DSLR or another camera with a hot-shoe mounted flash, swivel the head (if your flash unit is so designed) to avoid direct into-the-eyes flash firing. A flash diffuser – typically in the form of a "soft box" – can also help somewhat; some types of diffusers are also compatible with pop-up flash units and may be of assistance, though in my experience the amount of diffusion you get from these types of flash modifiers is often pretty limited.

If you're just trying to get kick light or moderate fill, stepping back and zooming in often helps to lessen reflectivity. Likewise, if your shot composition allows it, changing your angle slightly so that your flash beam hits the subject's eyes obliquely rather than head-on is typically one of the more effective methods for controlling reflectivity in human and animal eyes alike.

If all else fails there's always post-shot correction. While most red-eye tools don't work for most forms of pet eye, there are exceptions. It will require some experimentation to know for sure which tools work and which don't, and it should also be noted that some photo kiosks now include pet-eye reduction functions. While there are plug-ins out there for common image editing software packages that claim to eliminate pet eye, spending on such a specialized tool seems a bit like overkill to me: better to learn how to do basic manual pet eye/red eye correction using either brushwork or levels/curves adjustments in your preferred image editor. Anything with a decent level of editing control (Photoshop Elements, GIMP, etc.) will work for this purpose.

Q: I do like cats, but I don't think it's right that my neighbor's cats wander around my yard at night and leave little presents in a corner of my garden by morning. Should I trap the cats and take them to a shelter so they'll stop bothering my garden? -- S.C., Cyberspace.

A: While I understand your frustration, and I agree that these cats should be kept indoors, you can't fool me. I don't think you care much for cats at all. If you bring these pets to an animal control facility or shelter, they could be euthanized. At best, they might never see their family again, since, unfortunately, most cats are not microchipped and don't wear ID tags. Even if you tell the staff who owns the cats, what would be the point of that?

If you haven't discussed this problem with your neighbor, give it a shot. Hopefully, you won't need to fly in Condolezza Rice to hammer out a peace treaty.

Cats do best when kept indoors. I don't understand why in some circles allowing cats outside is acceptable, while the same folks wouldn't (nor should they) allow dogs to wander. I suppose one argument is that some dogs are aggressive and could pose a threat. However, cats can cause injury, too. Some people are injured in car accidents after swerving to avoid hitting a cat in the road. Many cats are killed by cars. As the weather cools, cats often slink under car hoods to warm up. Unknowingly, people start their cars, mangling the pets. Outdoors, cats face predators. And being predators themselves, some cats kill song birds.

Certainly, it's not neighborly to let pet cats dance on other people's cars, yowl overnight and wreak havoc in gardens. You could clip this column and give it to your neighbor. If that doesn't work, try a deterrent. Since the cats are only using a small portion of your garden, a citronella spray might work, or sprinkling around some orange and/or grapefruit peels. The Cat Stop motion detector by Contech (www.contech-inc.com, $20) uses bursts of ultrasonic sound that cats dislike. Another idea: Stick a litter box out in the garden, filled with clumping litter. You may not go for this idea but the cats might!

Q: My 12-year-old shepherd/collie mix has had a tumor at her rear end for some time. My vet originally said it was nothing to worry about. Now, it's the size of a small avocado. Recently, it bled badly for nearly two days. Could this tumor be cancerous? What kind of tumor is it? Could I remove the tumor by putting a rubber band around it since I don't have the money for surgery? Any other advice? -- R.M., Webster Springs, WV

A: The good news, according to board-certified veterinary oncologist Dr. Carolyn Henry, professor of Oncology at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, is that the tumor has been there for some time, yet your dog is still alive and seemingly well. However, it may still be cancerous. Henry says the possibilities include anal sac adenocarcinoma, mast cell cancer, or perianal carcinoma. A simple, inexpensive needle aspirate should give your vet enough information to offer a basic diagnosis.

It's necessary to understand what you're dealing with. If the mass is benign and left alone, the periodic bleeding may worsen. For the sake of your dog's quality of life, based on your description, removal seems appropriate at this time. However, Henry strongly warns against 'rubber-banding' the tumor. "That's very dangerous," she says, "The only thing that's likely to happen is that the situation may worse, causing bleeding you can't stop and perhaps a serious, even life-threatening infection. In my experience, it's likely to cost more money to attempt to save your dog after using a rubber band than the cost of surgery."

If your vet determines the tumor is cancerous, the next steps are to determine what kind of cancer is present and whether or not it has spread. Treatment may not only be beyond your means but - depending on what you learn - may not be practical.

Q: We own an 11-year-old retired German Shepherd police dog. At the age of 9, tracking began to take its toll, so he was retired. Even before he retired, we gave him food with glucosamine. After that, he started to limp on his front shoulders. The vet suggested Deramaxx, to use as needed. That helped. In fact, he started acting like a puppy again.

Have you ever heard of a food with glucosamine causing a problem? Now, the dog's back legs are getting weaker. We do keep his weight down. We started giving him low dose aspirin and he started to limp worse. Then we gave him Deramaxx again, and that took care of the problem. Where should go from here? - J.B., Brooklyn, MI

A: It's unlikely the glucosamine or the aspirin caused or worsened the problem. More likely, the Deramaxx is what was needed, says Dr. Tom Turner, a veterinarian in Berwyn, IL, with a special interest in orthopedics. Deramaxx is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for dogs. "Perhaps, it's time for the dog to get a consistent dose of Deramaxx," adds Turner. "Many older dogs, especially larger dogs, take a dose daily, which greatly improves their quality of life."

However, Turner also cautions you to see your veterinarian. Giving out of the hindquarters in older German Shepherds can be a result of hip, knee or leg problems, or a combination of these, and/or a neurological issue.

Turner has one more precaution: Aspirin and Deramaxx should not be used together. In fact, be sure to speak to your vet to insure that there's a proper "wash out period" before switching drugs. Physical therapy or acupuncture may be considered as well.

(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD@STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com.

(WHAS11) - One local woman is speaking out against a popular pet medication company after her dog almost died after using the product.

When you first get a pet, it's hard to know what products to buy for them, especially when hundreds of boxes line the shelves of pet stores. But, just because pet stores are selling 30 or more different kinds of flea and tick medications, it doesn't mean all of them are safe. In fact, in some cases, they could be deadly.

Diane Randal’s dog, 4 month old AJ is healthy now, but just a few days ago, he was in the hospital being treated for poisoning. Randal says AJ got sick a few hours after she gave him an over the counter flea and tick prevention medication. She rushed him to the hospital, where he spent seven days fighting for his life.

"We didn't think he was going to make it. We really didn't. I didn't tell my daughter that, but we didn't think he was going to make it," said Randal.

But, according to Dr. Patricia Kennedy, the director of the Jefferson Animal Hospital, many dogs treated with over the counter flea and tick medications like these, don't make it. This is why she tells all her patients to stay away from over the counter flea and tick medications.

You can ask your vet what specific brand of medication they recommend, but bottom line is the only safe products on the market today for systemic treatment of fleas on the pet are products that are sold by your veterinarian.

That’s a lesson Diane Randal learned the hard way, but one, she says, she will never make again.

Sadly this isn't the first time there has been a case like this. In 2005, the EPA told one of these companies to stop producing the medication because so many pets were having serious side effects.

But many more are still out there. So, the best advice is to get all of these medications from your vet.

One crisp October morning five years ago, we adopted our dog Elliott. For months we had mulled over getting a dog and whether we were ready for one. We analyzed our lifestyles, our budget, our living situation and the timing for whether this was the right time to get a dog.

Knowing millions of dogs are euthanized in animal shelters across the country, we were certain our next pet would come from a local humane society or breed rescue. We weren’t able to rationalize buying our pet from a pet store or breeder for hundreds of dollars while local shelters had thousands of dogs to select from, at a fraction of the price. While this was an easy decision, other decisions were more complicated.

For example, would we get a purebred or a mixed breed dog? My husband and I had grown up with purebred dogs, and we each had our favorites. In the end, however, we decided we simply wanted a companion animal. It really didn’t matter whether we had a purebred or a mixed breed dog since we were not planning to “show” our pet at competitions or breed him/her in any way. We were also encouraged to learn mixed breeds are generally much healthier than purebreds because they have far fewer breed-specific genetic problems. There was even a good possibility of finding a purebred in a shelter. Purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of all dogs in animal shelters. We decided to keep an open mind and look for both purebreds and mixed breed dogs.

More important to us was the dog’s characteristics: his size, age, exercise needs, temperament and compatibility with children. We spent a lot of time speaking with adoption counselors at the humane society, got advice from an experienced dog trainer, and spoke with friends and neighbors with dogs we admired.

Given our preferences and lifestyle, we then narrowed our breed/mix choices and started looking for the next member of our family. We made several heartbreaking trips to area shelters — heartbreaking because we were only able to adopt one dog, and so many dogs needed a home and came so close to being that “perfect fit.”

It was easy to be impulsive. The adoption counselors, however, encouraged us not to compromise; it was important to find the right match. Weeks went by. Then one day, I saw Elliott’s face peering out at me as I did the customary search on Petfinder.com. The profile read, “spunky lab/shepherd/coonhound mix puppy found abandoned in house by realtor … .” This dog seemed to have all the breeds and characteristics we were looking for, and he was cute. I was smitten!

A week later, after several interactions with Elliott, we brought him home — thrilled and excited we had found our perfect dog. While this story has a happy ending, Elliott has tested that assumption of perfection on more than a few occasions. He is a big, boundless, and, yes, spunky dog, and so is his love. I cannot imagine our lives without him or our other dog Sara Lee, whom we adopted a few years later. It’s easy to adopt the second time around. By then, you realize just how much adopted pets have a way of knowing, and showing, exactly what you’ve done for them.

Getting a dog is a serious affair. Give this decision the time and research it deserves. If you decide now is the time to adopt a dog, here’s information on what local humane societies are doing in October to help mark Adopt-A-Dog month.

Lynchburg Humane Society will be having a Howl-O-Ween Pet Party and Adoption Center Open House on Oct. 18 from noon to 3 p.m. Bring your two- and four-legged family members. Join in the fun, games, and win some prizes! Have a spooktacular time and see why dog enthusiasts love this event. For all dogs adopted in October, LHS will provide a leash, collar, temporary ID tag, treats, toys, and adoption package with a training DVD and helpful information on how to care for your pet.

Bedford County Humane Society currently has 13 dogs in foster homes now looking for permanent families. There are also several more dogs available for adoption through the Bedford County Animal Shelter.

Humane Society of Amherst County will be profiling all their adoptable dogs in the local New Era Progress paper in October and is offering $5 off each dog adoption.

All area shelters list their adoptable pets on Petfinder.com. Other popular sites include Pets 911 and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com.

It really gets me how my dog Abby knows just how to please every person in our family. I always wanted a calm dog, so I love how she rests her head on my lap while I'm reading a book on the sofa and dozes on my feet when I'm typing at my computer. My husband wanted a dog who would roughhouse, and when she's around him, she begs to play Flee the Beast (my husband being the Beast). At night she starts out in one son's bed and in the middle of the night switches to my other son's bed, so one gets to go to sleep next to a dog and the other gets to wake up next to one. When she visits my mom, who's frequently bedbound, she bounces through the door and zips straight to the bed for an enthusiastically sloppy dog greeting. When she sees my dad, she immediately flops on to her back for a belly rub, always eliciting a laugh.

FED_UP wrote:My husky Cotto is a hugger! When I come home from work, I crouch down and say "Come to mama, and he runs to me putting his arms on my shoulders giving me a huge bear hug and kisses. My maltese Junior loves to play hide and seek with me. He is usually the seeker, and when he finds me I scream, he barks and runs away from me to hide. We go back and forth until mom get's tired. And my Shitzhu, Wicked..the oldest out of the two...loves to take baths. It's so cute, usually if I can't find him in the house....he is laying in the tub. So cute. When it is bath time, he will just lay on his stomach and enjoy it...Doesn't rush me at all.

MrSandman wrote:My dashund mix is very greedy. She'll be laying on the couch sleep and as soon as she hears what she thinks is a potato chip bag crinkling, her head shoots up like she was never sleep to begin with. She also has moments where she gets so excited that she starts running really fast all around the house. I've noticed that she uses her paws a lot like a cat would.

geofizz56 wrote:I can't hug my husband without our greyhound wedging himself between us. He won't move until one of us reaches down and gives him scratchies. Cute, but moderately annoying if we're barefoot!

FED_UP wrote:Oh god, My maltese does the same. After every bath, he get's this huge amount of energy and runs back and forth in the house like a wild child!! Too funny!!

kimwillis1 wrote:We are fostering a pit bull named Murray. Murray had clearly endured a level of abuse when we found him. It is very inspiring to see how gentle he is, how he knew to jump right on the bed for a good rawhide chew break and to sleep with us. He, of course, likes the sofa as well. He plays well with other dogs in the house and most amazingly has 2 cat buddies who nuzzle right up to him and he nuzzles back.

JasonNemeck wrote:My dog is my nurse.When I am not feeling well, my nurse takes extra care to monitor my activities, and anytime I sit or lay down for any length of time, she's right there to sniff and examine me.Since it's just the two of us, she's very tuned-in to my health & knows when things are not right.Sometimes (like this week) she knew I was getting sick before I did.

ChaosAngelfire wrote:I have a Boston Terrier that loves to have my husband take her for a ride in the pickup truck. She sits up on the toolbox and acts like she is the queen. (She is on a harness so she is safe.) Also, any time we go anywhere she comes to greet us looking for a doggie bag. When she sees my dad's car she knows that treats are close at hand!

Interesting Facts About Pet Adoptionby Christa Kowalczyk

Man can essentially build a simple and unbreakable bond with a companion animal. Adoption gives a pet another chance to have a happy and healthy life. It makes the owner happy as well.When planning for pet adoption or looking for a pet to enter into your life, contemplate adopting a homeless pet from a local shelter. The shelter has the finest selection of pets and animals. The shelter also has everything - whether it's a matured dog or puppy, mixed breed, and purebred. They even have hamsters or rabbits. Besides, you can be assured that all animals at local shelters are all screened for good health and proper behavior.

Adopting from an Animal Shelter

Most of the pets and animals at shelters are abandoned by their owners because of unrealistic expectations of time, money, and effort in sustaining a lifelong association with their pets. Based on the national figure of abandoned animals, half of them are euthanized due to lack of homes or adopted family. Staff and volunteers at animal shelters are dependable when it comes to assessment of the animals. These people also do every attempt to collect detailed history of the animals. They also learn as much as they can about the animals' behavior and temperament in order to make the best adoption matches possible.

Adopting from a Purebred Rescue Group

When adopting a purebred animal from rescue groups, be sure to get full information on how they care about them and how they decide what kind of pets are adoptable. Also, ensure the post-adoption information and other services available while adopting a purebred animal. The animals that rescue groups accommodate came from failed breeding operations, stray animals, or arrived from boarding kennels with veterinarians where they were abandoned. Adoption fees may vary depending on veterinary doctors and other expenses occurred during stay of the animal.

Choosing the Right Cat

Cats also make great pets. Most of them can easily adjust to different lifestyles and environment. They have their true individuality, appearances, and age, as well. You will notice it through their own meow when you are strolling along cat cages at animal shelters. Some would show special attention whereas still others simply lie back and watch you with an air of authority.

Kittens are more playful, curious, and full of energy while the adult cats are more tranquil and well-behaved. Kittens need more time to train as well as feed. Young children usually don't have enough understanding on how to handle kittens responsibly. Thus, the best time to adopting and having cats at home are when they are at least four months old.

Choosing the Right Dog

Adopting dogs typically entails selecting one that matches your lifestyle and desire. Dogs are wonderful and lifelong companion for you and your family. You can choose them from an ample collection of breeds, sizes, shapes, and personalities. You can visit an animal shelter and ask the assistance of an adoption counselor for the dog qualities and breed that you are looking for. He/she can help you choose dogs from two categories: the mixed breeds or purebreds.

The important variation between the two is that purebreds come from the same breed and are similar to breed standard. It means that when you adopt a purebred puppy you will know right away what general physical and behavioral characteristics it will have. A mixed breed puppy on the other hand, is a combination of different breeds. This breed is considered as the natural dog, too and adopting one is a unique choice of companion. It is better to know the ancestry of a particular mixed breed so that you can easily identify what type of dog he will turn out soon after.

Things to Consider in adopting pets

• Why do you want a pet? • Do you have time for a pet? • Can you afford a pet? • Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? • Can you have a pet where you live? • Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? • Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? • Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? • Will you be a responsible pet owner? • Are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime?

About the AuthorFor more information on Phenomena Of Virtual Pets please visit our website.

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Flying With Pets - How Can You Keep Your Pet Safe And Healthy On Airline Flights?

by Dorothy Yamich

If you have plans to fly with your pet, you are part of a growing trend that has been increasing for the last number of years. Most airlines will charge a nominal fee to allow your small pet to accompany you, if it will fit into a FAA approved pet carrier that is small enough to stow under your seat. The following important info can help you keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy on airplane flights.When you book a flight, it is a good idea to make reservations for yourself and your pet as early as you can. You must inform the airline that you want to bring your pet with you. It is extremely important to tell them, as they will only allow a limited number of pets on each flight. Some airlines don't allow pets at all, particularly on international flights. Always confirm your flight the day before you're trip. If you're traveling internationally you need to confirm your trip seventy-two hours before you fly.

Before you fly into the wide blue yonder with your furry travel companion, you need to take him or her to the veterinarian for a checkup, to make sure he or she is healthy enough to travel. You will also need to take its health certificate with you, showing that your pet is up-to-date on all its vaccinations, including rabies. Your pet must wear its current vaccination tag when traveling. As well, your pet must meet the health regulations of every country that you will be traveling to. Bring along a copy of your pet's medical records listing its allergies, chronic medical conditions, and medications.

If you haven't done this already, you should have your pet micro-chipped. That way, if your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter or vet, where its chip can be scanned, both can be reunited. Keep in mind your pet's identification tag will have both your home address and phone number on it. That won't be of much help if your pet gets lost when you are on vacation. It may be a good idea to get another tag made up that has your destination address and phone number on it. What happens if you pet isn't found until after you've returned from your holidays? It makes sense that you should leave both your home I.D. tag on your pet as well as attaching the new tag. That way you'll have all the bases covered and stand a better chance of being reunited with your pet.

You should carry a photo of you pet with you when you're traveling. It will help you prove that you are the rightful owner if any problems of ownership occur. Also, the photo can be used to make up flyers to post in the area where your pet was lost.

Flying with pets that are too large to fit into a FAA approved pet carrier is not a good idea as they will be stowed in the cargo hold. Putting your pet in the cargo hold of an aircraft is very traumatic and dangerous to its health. It makes far more sense to leave your pet with a friend, or a pet sitting service while you are vacation.

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises against sedating or tranquilizing your pet when flying, especially dogs. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting, so if they are tranquilized, they may not be able to pant. If this happens, it can leave them defenseless against the fluctuation of temperature and air pressure that occurs in the cargo hold of every flight. Also, keep in mind that pets don't enjoy flying, or being stuffed into a cramped kennel and left alone in a dark and desolate cargo hold. It must be terrifying for them.

There are a number of websites that give additional valuable information regarding traveling with your pet. Two outstanding sites are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at aspca.org, and the Federal Government's Department of Agriculture at aphis.usda.gov, which has an excellent article entitled, Traveling With Your Pet.

If you are looking for a great travel carrier for your small pet, you may want to consider the popular, FAA approved pet carrier, Sherpa On Wheels. This Cadillac of pet carriers is a luxurious, comfortable home for a pet when they fly. It has convenient front and top entries, mesh panels for ventilation, recessed wheels, as well as a detachable pull handle and a shoulder strap. It can be seen on line at SherpaPet.com.

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About the AuthorDorothy Yamich has a passion for travel. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as traveled in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. She is a travel consultant and specializes in luxury cruises as well as vacation packages.